Free Rifle, Three Positions, 300 metres, Men

The Soviets emphasized rifle shooting, and introduced a new gun of their own design with the site on the left side, to prevent mirages and fogging as the gun heated up. Anatoly Bogdanov won by three points over Robert Bürchler (SUI), although Bürchler set a world record in the kneeling phase of the event with 381. In fact, Bürchler outpointed Bogdanov in both prone and kneeling, but Bogdanov’s dominance, 9 points, in the standing gave him the gold medal. It was noted that the two shot next to each other in standing, and Bürchler stood well forward, sometimes being buffeted by the muzzle blast from Bogdanov’s shots. Bogdanov had been an orphan, left behind in a railway wagon, with his name and date of birth written on a note. His surname, Russian for “given by God” was traditional for Russian orphans.